Sabah Blue Economy On Track To Yield RM3.25 Bln Annually From Marine Harvests
KOTA KINABALU, July 20 (Bernama) -- The Sabah Blue Economy is estimated to yield 491,000 tonnes of marine harvests such as fish and prawns annually, with a value of RM3.25 billion, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said marine harvesting is one of 14 components of the Blue Economy that can be explored, such as renewable ocean energy, blue carbon, tourism, maritime transport, and marine biotechnology, among others.
"There is more to Blue Economy than just deep-sea harvesting," he said in a speech read by Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun at the International Business Review (IBR) ASEAN Awards here yesterday.
Also present was IBR Asia Group founder, director and chief executive officer Datuk Beatrice Nirmala.
The chief minister also said that one of the most exciting aspects of ocean energy is the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), which harnesses energy from the oceans.
"OTEC power plants are currently being planned to span across 500km of coastline and, in time, to be able to generate 20,000MW of green energy, an unprecedented scale globally. This is not only a gamechanger for the country, it is a gamechanger for the region," he said.
Hajiji said the Blue Economy Industrial Park has been established in Kudat as part of three new industrial parks approved by the state government, along with Kota Belud and Beaufort, all strategically located to grow investment opportunities.
On the investment front, Hajiji said Sabah had recorded RM17.41 billion from 73 companies in overall approved foreign and domestic investments in the manufacturing sector since September 2020, with 52 companies already setting up businesses in the state with a total investment of RM7.8 billion, creating 3,636 jobs.
Between 2022 and 2024, Sabah received new investment proposals worth an additional RM42.3 billion, which will create 32,996 jobs, he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
11 minutes ago
- Sinar Daily
Seremban housewife turns velvet wire art into lucrative business
She first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts 20 Jul 2025 04:01pm Siti Amirah Pilus, 36, said she first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts before switching entirely to crafting with velvet wire over the past three years. Photo by Bernama SEREMBAN - What started as a hobby driven by a passion for art has now become a lucrative source of steady income for a housewife here, thanks to her creativity in crafting flowers from velvet wire. Siti Amirah Pilus, 36, said she first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts before switching entirely to crafting with velvet wire over the past three years. "I started learning how to do velvet wire arrangements after being captivated by a tutorial on Instagram. I became interested, bought the wire, and tried it out. I saw that the results were quite good. "It was quite difficult at first, but eventually it became easier once I got the rhythm and pattern down to make creations like flowers, keychains, decorations, and bouquets,' she told Bernama when met at her home here. The mother of four said that small velvet wire arrangements can be completed within five minutes, while larger ones like bouquets take up to two hours and that her creations are sold at prices ranging from RM3.50 to RM250 depending on the type and customer request. Siti Amirah Pilus, 36, said she first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts before switching entirely to crafting with velvet wire over the past three years. Photo by Bernama She said most customers usually order velvet bouquet arrangements and decorative flowers as gifts for convocation or retirement events, as they remain beautiful and do not wilt like real flowers, making them lasting keepsakes. "Alhamdulillah, the response has been very encouraging. Every month I earn over RM1,500 from these arrangements, and once made up to RM8,000 when the product went viral on social media,' she said, adding that she runs the business from home. The Jempol native said she is one of the entrepreneurs guided by the Community Development Department (KEMAS), from which she received a one-off assistance of RM5,000 through the Quick Win Programme. Siti Amirah Pilus, 36, said she first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts before switching entirely to crafting with velvet wire over the past three years. Photo by Bernama Siti Amirah added that she continues to actively participate in various courses organised by KEMAS, particularly for micro-entrepreneurs, to deepen her business knowledge. "My dream one day is to open a shop to sell my crafted and decorative products on a larger scale. Even if it's a small venture, I'm satisfied when my customers are happy with my handiwork,' she said. She also shared that she has no intention of letting her talent go to waste, but instead plans to use it to create meaningful products for herself and for lovers of floral art. - BERNAMA
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Sabah Blue Economy on track to yield RM3.25bil annually from marine harvests
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Blue Economy is estimated to yield 491,000 tonnes of marine harvests such as fish and prawns annually, with a value of RM3.25 billion, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He said marine harvesting is one of 14 components of the Blue Economy that can be explored, such as renewable ocean energy, blue carbon, tourism, maritime transport, and marine biotechnology, among others. "There is more to Blue Economy than just deep-sea harvesting," he said in a speech read by Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun at the International Business Review (IBR) ASEAN Awards here yesterday. Also present was IBR Asia Group founder, director and chief executive officer Datuk Beatrice Nirmala. The chief minister also said that one of the most exciting aspects of ocean energy is the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), which harnesses energy from the oceans. "OTEC power plants are currently being planned to span across 500km of coastline and, in time, to be able to generate 20,000MW of green energy, an unprecedented scale globally. This is not only a gamechanger for the country, it is a gamechanger for the region," he said. Hajiji said the Blue Economy Industrial Park has been established in Kudat as part of three new industrial parks approved by the state government, along with Kota Belud and Beaufort, all strategically located to grow investment opportunities. On the investment front, Hajiji said Sabah had recorded RM17.41 billion from 73 companies in overall approved foreign and domestic investments in the manufacturing sector since September 2020, with 52 companies already setting up businesses in the state with a total investment of RM7.8 billion, creating 3,636 jobs. Between 2022 and 2024, Sabah received new investment proposals worth an additional RM42.3 billion, which will create 32,996 jobs, he added. The chief minister highlighted that Sabah had sealed the Commercial Collaborative Agreement with Petronas, allowing the state to have more participation in the oil and gas industry. This includes 50 per cent equity from the Samarang oil and gas field, 25 per cent equity from Samur, and a 25 per cent equity in the US$3.1 billion (US$1=RM4.24) floating liquefied natural gas (ZLNG) investment in Sipitang. To support the growing investments, the state government has launched the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040. This initiative aims to generate 700MW within the next 1 to 2 years. Additionally, the government has allocated RM679.85 million in 2024 to address immediate water shortages. Long-term plans also include the completion of the Ulu Padas hydropower. Meanwhile, nine winners were announced at the event, namely Institut Jantung Negara for corporate excellence in the healthcare sector, Clean Kinetics Pte Ltd for corporate excellence in the renewable energy sector, Millenium Minerals Ltd for corporate excellence in the mining industry, Sabah Port Sdn Bhd for corporate excellence in the logistics sector, AiRTS Pte Ltd for innovative technology in the artificial intelligence sector, Alpine Integrated Solution Sdn Bhd for corporate excellence in the event management sector, and Education Malaysia Global Services for corporate excellence in the education sector. Negeri Sembilan was named Most Progressive State in Malaysia in 2024, while Sabah was recognised as the Most Outstanding State in Malaysia for 2024.
Sinar Daily
an hour ago
- Sinar Daily
New life for old spaces: Entrepreneurs transform dilapidated buildings into cafes, hotels
KUALA LUMPUR - Amid the rise of towering cityscapes, abandoned and dilapidated buildings often sit forgotten-eyesores in the landscape and magnets for crime. In recent years, a growing wave of creative entrepreneurs has been breathing new life into neglected spaces, turning them into vibrant hotels, cafes, and event venues through adaptive reuse. This concept, long embraced abroad, involves repurposing abandoned buildings by preserving their original structure-transforming them into distinctive cafes, restaurants, or even hotels. OLD QUARTERS For Muhammad Zairee Izwan Zahir, transforming four blocks of abandoned four-storey police quarters in Sungai Petani, Kedah into a hotel was one of the best decisions his father ever made. Now known as Zaque's Hotel, the three-star establishment has become a popular lodging option, especially for out-of-town guests. An abandoned police quarters was renovated into a three-star hotel. "The idea to turn the police quarters into a hotel came from my late father, Zahir Yahya, in 2016. As a contractor, he saw the building's potential. "Alhamdulillah, he successfully obtained a lease for the land and building from the relevant agency. At the time, none of us knew his intention was to build a hotel,' Zairee told Bernama. Initially, Zairee and his family had doubts about the plan due to the building's dilapidated condition. "Imagine a building covered in dust and moss, rusted window grilles and crumbling walls. The place was in a quiet, remote location,' he recalled. But that didn't deter his father, who used his own funds and skills as a contractor to gradually restore the premises. "The renovation and interior makeover took four years and was completed by the end of 2019. The hotel began operating immediately after,' he said. "The building still retains the original structure and form of the police quarters to preserve its identity. The room layout and other design aspects were entirely my late father's vision. "After he passed away in June 2020, my siblings and I took over the hotel's operations, managing everything from administration to the kitchen and menu planning,' said Zairee, now the hotel's Managing Director. NOW A POPULAR DESTINATION Zairee, now 28, shared that the hotel, initially offering only lodging, has expanded to host events such as weddings. The previously dull 1,507-square-metre site is now a bustling venue following a series of upgrades. "We offer 30 rooms and 45 apartment-style units. We also host weddings, Ramadan buffets, birthday celebrations and government meetings. "Customer reviews show high ratings and we're among the top venues for events in Sungai Petani. Besides the modern minimalist room design, our proximity to the town centre also plays a big part,' he added. In nearly five years of managing the hotel, Zairee has learned that old buildings shouldn't be dismissed as worthless structures, they can be valuable investments. He believes that not all dilapidated buildings should be torn down, as they can become sources of income. "I wasn't sure if converting the old building was a smart move-but clearly, my late father made the right call. This hotel has become a livelihood for our family. "From a forgotten, quiet space, this place is now a hotspot. With creativity and a smart approach, old things can be useful and profitable,' he said, adding that he plans to build a swimming pool to attract more guests. FROM ABANDONED HOUSE TO CAFÉ Another entrepreneur, Mohd Shafiq Zolkipli, 39, also saw potential in an old inherited house and turned it into a cafe that has been operating since early February. Located in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan, the cafe, do8camp, blends traditional heritage with a relaxed, modern vibe to attract visitors. Located in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan, the cafe, do8camp, blends traditional heritage with a relaxed, modern vibe to attract visitors. "The cafe was originally a family home owned by my wife's grandmother. After my father-in-law passed away in 2020, the 1950s-era house was left vacant and deteriorated. That's when I decided to breathe new life into it,' he told Bernama. Seeing its strategic location at Jalan Temiang-Pantai - frequented by motorcycle and cycling groups - he believed it had business potential. Using his own funds, Shafiq repaired the damaged parts of the building while preserving the traditional wooden architecture. The front yard was converted into a casual outdoor area with camping-style tables and chairs, and the backyard was repurposed for small events or group hangouts. With its tranquil setting and greenery, the cafe offers a perfect spot for a coffee break. "We're going for a 'camping cafe' concept, built with my own savings and run by my wife and me. The cafe can accommodate about 60 people at a time. "We focus on serving various coffee drinks and light bites such as pasta,' he said. A POPULAR HANGOUT SPOT Though located in a rural village, the cafe has seen a steady stream of customers since its opening six months ago. "Our initial target was bikers and cyclists, but we were excited to see locals supporting the business and using the cafe as a gathering place. "It gets livelier on weekends and school holidays when people return to their hometowns and drop by for coffee,' he said. The cafe is open from 5pm to midnight. Shafiq encourages other owners of abandoned homes to consider repurposing their properties rather than letting them decay. He explained that unattended houses-especially wooden ones-are prone to termite damage and structural wear, which can lead to high repair costs. "Many people think old houses have no value, but if properly maintained and repurposed, they can generate income-whether as a cafe or for other investments,' he said. - BERNAMA
